Interior Health cites several sources for high bacteria levels

The high bacteria levels at the north end of Kalamalka Lake last month could have come from a number of sources, according to Interior Health.

Swimming was not recommended at Kal Beach in Coldstream for 20 days as bacteria levels exceeded Health Canada guidelines, with signs posted.

Interior Health said the most common causes are water fowl feces, weather events like wind and rain, and a lot of people going into the water.

“It is not always possible to determine the exact source of the contamination that caused a test to exceed the guideline value,” Interior Health’s media relations department told Vernon Matters. “It is not uncommon for bathing beaches to periodically exceed the Health Canada guideline.”